The fourth edition of the 'Summer at the Zagreb Fair' festival, from August 28 to September 6, brings a rich program, but also a key novelty, some concerts will no longer have free admission.
The Zagreb Fair will once again be the center of musical events this summer. The Summer at the Zagreb Fair festival, now in its fourth consecutive year, brings ten days of diverse programming from August 28 to September 6, 2026. Organizers have prepared the richest edition yet, with the stage featuring established names from the local scene, young demo bands, and tribute acts paying homage to global stars.
The festival opens with a three-day Tribute Weekend, which will heat up the atmosphere from August 28 to 30 with performances of the greatest hits. Audiences will hear songs by Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Iron Maiden, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as pop icons like Beyoncé, Billy Idol, and Bill Withers. The program is designed as a musical journey through several decades, with a focus on the golden era of rock culture in the seventies and eighties.
Young bands will get their chance to shine on August 31 and September 1, when the demo band competition takes place. Twelve bands will compete for the cash prize: Kapitaklizma, Kult pult, Ectratis, Goran glad, Druga pomoć, Soulbrake, Jarek, Eliza Dushku, Overused, Pozeri, Problem, and Šambrana. Last year's winners, Raspad sistema, will also return to the stage to show how they've progressed.
The main part of the festival program kicks off on Wednesday and features a colorful lineup of local acts. Performing will be ethno-rock band Kries, the electro-pop duo Kids From The Sky from Križevci, and bands Podočnjaci, Six Pack, Cold Snap, Dorian Gray, and Donkey Hot. A special musical moment is also prepared by Homage Collective plays Sade.
For fans of heavier sounds, Rum Smugglers will deliver, presenting themselves as Croatia's first pirate metal band, along with Zagreb's groove and thrash metal act Overpower. The latter already has respectable experience, they have opened for British band Bullet For My Valentine.
After three editions with a completely free program, this year brings a significant change. Tickets will be required for some festival events. Organizers have already released early bird tickets for certain days. The demo band competition will still be free to attend, but prior reservation is mandatory due to limited capacity. As the organizers explain, revenue from ticket sales will be directed towards further festival development, improving production, and expanding content in future editions.
